Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas, a 38-year-old father from Chatsworth, California, was killed on January 29, 2026, in a devastating crash involving a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) snowplow on Interstate 70 in Clear Creek County. He was driving a Sprinter van carrying members of the Santa Clarita Lady Flyers 12U girls’ hockey team to a tournament when the collision occurred near milepost 218.
According to Colorado State Patrol and the Clear Creek County Coroner’s Office, the westbound CDOT snowplow lost control in snowy conditions, crossed the median, struck a pickup truck, and then collided with the eastbound van driven by Villegas. The van veered off the road and down an embankment following the impact. No injuries were reported from the pickup truck, but the van sustained significant damage, and Villegas was pronounced dead at the scene.
Eight passengers were inside the van at the time of the crash. Among them were five juveniles and three adults. Four of the children were treated and released from the hospital shortly after the incident. One child was initially airlifted in critical condition but later stabilized. Of the three adults, two remained hospitalized in serious condition, while one was listed in fair condition at Denver Health Medical Center.
Villegas was not only a devoted father but also a supportive presence in the youth hockey community. His daughter was among the team members traveling to the tournament. Despite the emotional toll of the tragedy, the Santa Clarita Lady Flyers chose to continue participating in the tournament, honoring Villegas’s memory with a moment of silence before their first game at the Ice Ranch in Littleton. The team’s resilience and unity in the face of loss drew admiration from across the Colorado Front Range.
The crash has prompted questions about road safety during winter weather conditions, especially concerning the operation of heavy equipment like snowplows. State patrol investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the snowplow’s loss of control. CDOT has pledged full cooperation with the investigation and expressed condolences to the victims and their families.
As the community mourns the loss of Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas, tributes have poured in from both California and Colorado. Friends, family, and members of the hockey community remember him as a kind-hearted and dedicated father who always put his family first. His death has left a profound void, and efforts are underway to support the injured and the grieving families during this difficult time.